Q It's a complete honor to have Vice President Cheney with us.
I understand it's your first NASCAR race. Tell us a little bit about
your impressions.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Well, it's tremendous. I've watched it on TV,
of course, but this is the first time I've actually been down here at
Daytona, and it is just an awesome event. The people, the cars, the
drivers, everything that goes with it, it's just tremendously impressive
sort of operation. So I spent a couple of hours before the race going
around -- Darrell Waltrip and so forth, people showing me some of the
ins and outs of the sport, it's really a tremendously -- great day for
me to spend an afternoon.

Q Tell us a little bit about some of the experiences that you
did have in the garage area.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Well, they took me down to their mock-up of
both the engine, as well as the car, the cut-away so they can get right
down and show you how it's all put together. One of the things I did, I
spent some time with the Army team. And they were explaining to me the
fact, of course, that they've really got different cars for different
races. So it's not just a matter of putting a couple cars out and
running them all year long. The circumstances are so different and the
technology has gotten so refined, the fact that a team has got 18 or 20
cars, not just two, was a revelation to me.

Q You mentioned in your pre-race introduction about being
Independence Day weekend. You mentioned the Army team. And you're
probably aware that every single branch of the service is involved in
NASCAR racing, including the Marines, the Coast Guard, the Air Force,
the Navy and the Army, as you had mentioned. Were you surprised at how
supportive the NASCAR community and NASCAR fans are for our troops?
This place is always so supportive of our troops.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: I know they are. I was aware of the extent to
which the drivers, for example, the crews and the owners have been
supporting the troops. A lot of them have been to Iraq and Afghanistan,
actually visited with the troops out where they're engaged on our
behalf. They also go to Walter Reed and Bethesda when they're in the
Washington area and visit with the troops that are back from over there,
who've come home wounded. It's a tremendous level of dedication. Of
course, NASCAR has got a great following among the young men and women
of the United State s military. So it's a mutual admiration society,
but it really is something to behold.

Q Speaking of youngsters, I understand you have three of your
grandchildren with you. Tell us about their experience. Were they in
awe?

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Well, they're having a heck of a day. The
youngest is six; the oldest is 12, three granddaughters. And they've
enjoyed every minute of it.

Q I think one of the things sometimes that surprises people in
their first race is just the magnitude, the size of the fans, the size
of the crowds, and the overall economic impact. This is a huge economic
impact wherever we take this show.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Well, it is. And I think we've been spending
a little bit of time with Bill France up in the suite. He estimated
about 150,000 people today probably will come to Daytona to witness this
event. It's the complexity in the enterprise, as well, too. When you
start looking down at one of these teams, and you look at the driver, of
course, and then there's the pit crew, you see out front. But - there's
a hundred people on each one of these teams backing up the folks that
are out front. That's a big, complex enterprise. If you've got two or
three teams -- one owner does -- then you've got 200 or 300 people
traveling all over the country -- enormous, complex technology, big
investment in money and time, it's a great enterprise.

Q Well, we normally put our guests on the spot and ask them if
they've got a favorite. I'm not going to do that to you. But did you
get a chance to meet some of the drivers in that drivers' meeting?

THE VICE PRESIDENT: I did. And I went to the drivers' meeting
beforehand and had a chance to meet them. And it's a privilege. They
are a great bunch of people.

Q Well, Mr. Vice President, thank you so much for taking time
out of your busy schedule -- not just to stop by here, but to come to
the Daytona International Speedway, and for all you're doing. Our
prayers are with you and the President as you lead the country.